How long is a "generation"?

There seems to be so much controversy over defining what exactly a 'generation' is.

I have heard it said a generation is 25 years; some claim it is 40 years; and some even say 70 years.

I think the scriptures describe the 70 years as life expectancy, with mightiness 80 years or something like that.

I don't think it is accurate to define the length of generation as the same length of time as life expectancy, but I could be wrong.

Anyway, I am wondering if anyone has ever done the math on this scriptural clue:

Matthew 1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

If one follows the lineage and a date timeline, would this give more accurately the approximation of a generation?

And about this following scripture, does this show a concluding time frame? Does this mean the covenant will exist only for a specific duration?

1 Chronicles 16:15 "Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;"

By determining the length of a generation, then we should be able to figure out how many years would bring us to the thousandth generation.

(Also would need to know whether this refers to covenant with Abraham, the covenant decree with Jacob, the ark of the covenant with Moses, or whether it refers to the oath sworn to Isaac. And most importantly, were these all the same god?)

Mad Sweeny: "I don't know how long a generation is but I do know that it somehow has to involve overlapping."

I have an idea that you mean that sarcastically in light of the "noo light".

But fact is, the generations do overlap, so that would dismiss the 70 years being used as a gauge.

Your grand-parents are one generation, your parents are generation #2, you are generation #3, your children are generation #4, and your grand children are #5....and so it goes. Therefore, it would seem to make sense that the length of a generation would be from birth until the child bearing ages.

So very definitely, generations do overlap.

So, back to the other questions....how many years approximately would encompass fourteen generations?

How many years would encompass a thousand generations? And what happens at the end of those thousand years? Is the covenant null and void? Have the covenant promises been fulfilled during those thousand years and is now at an end?

Could this be what the thousand year reign has really been about all along?

A quick look at wikipedia was interesting. A familial generation is the progression grandfather, father, child - each of these is a generation. A cultural generation is a group of people born around the same time who have similar experiences. The baby boomers are a good example. The time frame of familial generations varies. According to wiki as of 2007 this was about 25 years in the US and 27 in the UK.

I don't see how the WTBS's distortion fits either one of these. I guess they've taken making stuff hope to whole new heights.

Jeff T: "I don't see how the WTBS's distortion fits either one of these. I guess they've taken making stuff hope to whole new heights."

I think you have to completely throw out the Watchtower in order to understand it. Their buzz phrases are potent hypnotics and people cannot get past it in order to clear their minds and look at things without their influence.

I think this is an example of the reason as to why the scriptures say that the "annointed" will be virgins. It does not mean technically as in a physical human sense or having anything to do with sexuality. It means 'virgins' as far as a mental and spiritual condition of not being contaminated by religious manipulations and hocus pocus garbage. JWs have a lot of baggage because of what that vile filthy organization has put them through. It is harder for them to understand any concepts without reverting back to Watchtower influence. That would also mean that there are absolutely NO "annointed" within the active Jehovah Witness organization. (But I fully believe some x-jws are both overcomers and "annointed"!)

Didn't mean to get off topic, but I just felt this was relevant to the explanation.

Simon Morley: "From the birth of a child to the birth of the first grandchild by that child."

That seems reasonable.

Now we would need to determine the customs of marriage age of that time period in order to determine if childbearing age started at 10 yrs old, 15 years old, or 20 years old. (And never mind the old maids and late bloomers.)

Matthew 1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

1 Chronicles 16:15 "Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;"

In genealogy, the length of a generation is used principally as a check on the credibility of evidence—too long a span between parent and child, especially in a maternal line, has been reason to go back and take a more careful look at whether the evidence found reflects reality or whether a generation has been omitted or data for two different individuals has been attributed to the same person. For that purpose, the 20- and 25-year averages have worked quite acceptably;

Thanks, Gerard. I think that 25 is a reasonable and fair average to use as a measuring scale. It also fits with what Simon Morely says.

Can someone give me an algebraic formula for this math problem? (with solution, of course.)

Matthew 1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.